Airplane



March 5, 1940. CHAPQNS 2,192,595

AIRPLANE Filed Aug. 27, 1938 Fig.1

INVENTOR Adolf Chap 118 BY ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 5, 1940 AIRPLANE Adolf Chapons; Bridgeport, Conn.

Application August 2'7,

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to the construction of miniature or toy airplanes, and to the driving means therefor.

In small airplanes, it has been heretofore proposed to drive the airplane by a propeller connected to a shaft rotatably mounted in the body and adapted to be rotated by having the shaft connected, by a suitable releasable coupling, to a means mounted on a launching device for imparting rotation thereto. When the propeller develops sutlicient pull to move the airplane from the mounting means, the coupling releases the shaft from the means to impart rotation thereto.

Usually the propellers in such devices are weighted at their ends so that they will, in addition to their function .of moving the airplane through the air, form a flywheel for storing up the energy imparted thereto by the rotating. means so as to continue rotation of the propeller after the airplane has left the launching device.

Such constructions however, have the disad-,

vantages of having additional weight on the propeller, which is positioned before the wing, so that some form of counterbalance must be provided to offset this weight, and, further, some energy is lost during the releasing of the coupling from the drive means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drive means in which the means for imparting rotation to the propeller includes energy-, storing means disposed under the wing so as to counterbalance the propeller while at the same time forming aimeans for imparting high'speeds of rotation to the propeller. This isaccomplished by mounting a spool or drum on the drive shaft for the propeller. The spool is adaptedto have a cord wound thereon to be rapidly withdrawn therefrom to impart a high rate of rotation to the spool and, being fixed to the shaft rm: rotagtiontherewith, causes the propeller to rotate and {draw theplane through the air. Preferably, the

spool is positioned with respect to the propeller 1 so as to counterbalance the weight of the propeller and locate the center of gravity under the wing.

g 1 While the device may be flown from the hand,

the present invention provides a novel catapult which supports the airplane duringthe time when the cord is withdrawn from the spool and otherwise facilitates the launching ofthe device.

A feature of the invention resides in the wing construction having a novel means for mounting itto the body. This comprisesa member secured to the 'undersurface of thawing and having a cross-section substantially the same as thecross- 193s, .Serial No. 227,031

section of theupper surface of the body so that it snugly fits thereover and forms, in effect, a

key-and-slot connection for properly positioning the wing on the body. With the wing thus held in proper position, a single securing element will be sufiicient to secure the wing to the body. I Other features and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from thespecification and claims when considered in connection with the drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective viewof the airplane. Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of.Fig.1. i Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end sectional view, taken along line.3-3 of Fig. 2. N

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of thecatapult with the handle portion broken away. A 1 The miniature airplane of the present invention maytake many forms, that is, it ,may be a monoplane, biplane or helicopter, and. may be used for the purpose of testing models'of fullsize airplanes or for amusement purposes asa toy. h

In the illustrated forrn of the invention is shown a monoplane having a body In supported beneath a wing II. I gitudinally extending spar member l2 having'a thin strip I3 of light material, secured-to the bot- The body comprises a. lontom thereof'and shaped 'to simulateafuselage of holes carrying bearings l6 forreceiving and rotatably mounting a propeller shaftfll'l so, that one end thereof projects in front of the body. A propeller l8, shaped from thin sheet metal, is mounted on .,the projecting end of the shaft-in any suitable manner. In the herein disclosed form of the invention, it is mounted on the" end of the shaft by a pair of nuts 19, 2E) threaded thereon and into engagement withoppositefaces of the propeller.

Adjacent the front end, the body As shown in Fig. 2, the propeller shaft is held against longitudinal movement ingthe bearings l6 by having the section 2| thereof disposed between the posts [4, iii of a larger diameter so that the ends thereof engage against the end face l8a of the bearings and form thrust bearings for the shaft.

The posts 14, 15 are tied together and held against separating and releasing the shaft supported thereby. This is accomplished by forming the post-from a point adjacent the shaft to the lower ends thereof of reduced diameter as indicated at Ma, 15a, thus forming a shoulder 22 on each of the posts. with properly spaced openings to receive the ends of the posts, is moved over the posts into engagement with the shoulder so that its upward movement is limited, with the plate extending parallel to the shaft but in spaced relation thereto. The tie plate effectively holds the posts at a point adjacent the shaft from spreading or shift ing. The lower ends of the posts may be secured together to form a rigid unit. Preferably, the securing means for the lower ends comprises a member forming a landing skid 24 which projects under the propeller and protects it during landing of the airplane.

The wing, which is mounted on the upper surface of the body with the posts l4, I5 disposed thereunder, comprises a strip of reed 25 bent to form the outline of the wing, which outline of reed is covered by a sheet of light paper, linen, or other similar material 26.

According to the present invention, a novel mounting means is provided for securing the wing to the body. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a channel 21 of rigid light-weight material, preferably metal, is positioned so as to extend across the wing intermediate the ends. The ends 28 of the channel are curled about the reed, as shown in Fig, 2, and are clamped thereto, thus rigidly interconnecting the front and back edge of the wing. This provides, in the wing, material of suflicient rigidity through which a securing means can be passed. The channel is provided with a cross-section, as shown in Fig. 3, which is the same as that of the top spar member so that it snugly engages the same and forms, in effect, a key-and-slot connection to properly positionthe wing with respect to the body. With the wing held in proper position in the spar member by the channel, a single securing means 29, either a screw, nail or other fastening device, will suffice to secure the member.

As shown in Fig. 2, the spar is cut away at 30 toward the rear end thereof so that the rear edge of the wing is free and continuous through out its length.

Suitable tail surfaces in the form of a rudder and elevators 35 can be attached to the rear end of the spar. The rudder and elevators are made of stiff paper, cardboard, light metal, or other similar bendable material, and are provided with free surfaces indicated at 31, 38, 39

(Fig. 1). 'By properly bending these surfaces. the course of the airplane can be controlled as will be understood.

; The propeller, upon being rapidly rotated, will draw the airplane through the air in flight. According to the present invention, a novel means is provided for imparting rotation to the propeller and for continuing the rotation after the airplane is in the air. This means comprises a spool 4n fixed to that part 2! of the shaft n is adapted to have wound thereon a cord "l3.-

Upon the free end of the cord being grasped and A tie plate 23,provided.

rapidly withdrawn from the spool, the spool, propeller shaft and propeller will be rotated at a high speed. During this unwinding of the cord, the propeller and spool will, of course, store up the energy expended in the unwinding operation. The spool, acting as a flywheel, will rotate the p peller during flight of the airplane.

With the spool serving as a flywheel, it is unnecessary to place additional weights on the propeller, which is located in front of the wing, and which would require additional counterbalancing to stabilize the plane.

Further, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the spool is disposed on the shaft between the posts and under the wing so that the weight of the propeller, which is positioned in front of the wing, will be counterbalanced, and the center of gravity of the device will be located under the wing.

The airplane of the present invention can be launched from the hand after the propeller has been set in motion. However, the invention provides a catapult from which the airplane can be more readily and conveniently launched. As shown in the drawing, the catapult comprises a flat member having a supporting portion 46 merging into a. handgrip 41. The front end of the supporting portion is providedwith a slot 48 adapted to-receive the posts as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and to support on its uppersurface the flat tie plate 23 secured to the post.

When it is desired to fly the airplane, the cord is wound on the spool and the airplane-is positioned in' the catapult as shown in' Figs. 1 and 2. With the handle gripped in the left hand and thumb, pressing the end 50 of the tie plate against the catapult, the free end of the cord is grasped by the right hand and is given a quick pull downwardly which causes the spool and propeller to rotate rapidly.

In order thatthe cord can be readily withdrawn from the spool when the airplane is on the catapult, a guide slot 5! is disposed parallel to the drum to properly guide the strand during its withdrawal, and has its open end entering the slot 48 to facilitate threading the cord therein. As shown in Fig. 3, theslot will maintain the strand away from the tie plate so that it can be withdrawn without interference.

As soon as the cord is withdrawn from the spool, the pressure of the thumb is released and the airplane will leave the slot in the end 01' the catapult under the action of the propeller.

Upon the energy which has been stored in the spool and propeller becoming exhausted, the airplane will float down to a graceful landing, the landing skid first engaging the ground, and protecting the propeller against damage.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as being applied to a toy airplane, it is to be understood that the features thereof can be applied tolother airplanes or model plane for the purpose of testing commercial structures Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

' I claim:

1. In an airplane, a body; a wing; channelshaped means secured to 'the undersurtace of the wing intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to be disposed on thebody to position the wing thereon; and means for securing the wing to the body. i 2. In an airplane, a wing including a channelshaped element extending across the undersurface thereof intermediate'the ends and adapted to be disposed-on the body to position the wing thereon; and means passing through the channel and into the body for securing the wing to the b dy; r f 3. In an airplane, a body; a wing; a channel having a cross-section corresponding to'the upper surface of thebody secured to the undersurface of the wing intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to have the sides of the channel snugly engage the body to position the wing thereon; and means for securing the wing to'the body.

4. In a toy airplane, a body; a wing comprising ing adapted to be disposed on the body to hold the V wing in proper alignment therewith; and means for securing. the wing to the body.

6. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the wing to depend therefrom; a propeller; a shaft secured to the propeller and rotatably mounted inthe body; and operating means directly secured to the shaft to rotate therewith and adapted to be rotated at a high speed by the removal of a cord wound thereon to cause the propeller to propel the airplane through the air.

'7. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the wing; a propeller; a shaft secured to the propeller and rotatably mounted in the body; and a drum carried directly by the propeller shaft to rotate therewith and adapted to have a cord I wound therearound and withdrawn therefrom so as to be rotated at a high speed and drive the propeller during the flight of the airplane through the air.

8. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the wing and including dependent spaced posts; a

shaft rotatably mounted in the posts; a propellerseeured to the shaft; spool means secured to the shaft and adapted to be rotated at a high speed to cause the propeller to draw the airplane forward through the air; and a tie plate secured to the posts and disposed adjacent to the drive shaft to hold the posts in predetermined fixed relation.

9. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the wing and including dependent spaced posts; a pair of aligned hearings in the posts intermediate the ends thereof; a shaft rotatably mo-untedin the bearings and having one end projecting therefrom; a propeller mounted on the projecting end of the shaft for rotation therewith; spool means secured to the shaft and adapted to be -rotated at high' speeds to cause the propeller to draw the airplane forward through the air; a tie plate secured to the posts intermediate their ends and adjacent the drive shaft; and a second tie plate secured to the other ends of the posts to hold them in a predetermined position, said lastnamed tie plate also forming a landing skid for rotate therewith and upon being rotated at a high speed to drive the propeller to propel the airplane through the air, said means being disposed on the propeller shaft was to, counterba aneeme propeller.

11. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the wing;- a propeller; a shaft secured to the propeller and rotatably mounted in the body; and.

as to locate the center ofgravity under the wing. it I l2. In a toy airplane, a wing; 21. bodysecured to the wing; a propeller; a shaft secured to the propeller and rotatably'mounted in the body;

Spool means rigidly secured to the shaft to rotate therewith and upon being rotated ata high speed to drive the propeller and propel the airplane through the air; and a landing skid disposed beie'w the propeller-to protect the propeller during landing of the airplane. toy airplane, a wing; abodymounted onthe wing comprising a longitudinal extending and a strip of thin material secured to the spar and to simulate the fuselage of the airplane; a pair of posts depending from the body; a propeller shaft rotatab-ly mounted in the post; a propeller secured to the shaft; and spool means secured to the shaft between said posts adapted to be rotated at high speed to drive the propeller during fiight,-

1e. In a toy airplane, a wing-having a channel on its undersurface and disposed intermediate itsends; a body secured to thewing and including a spar adapted to be disposed Within the channel; a pair of posts secured to the spar; a propeller shaft rotat'ably mounted in the post; a propeller mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith; and spool means connected to the shaft and disposed under the wing for rotating the propeller during flight.

1-5. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body mounted on the wing comprising a longitudinally extending spar and a strip of thin material secured to the sparland shaped .to'simulate the fuselage of the airplane; a pair of posts depending from the body; a propeller shaft rotatably mounted in the post; a propeller secured to the shaft; spool means directly secured to the shaft for-rotating the propeller during flight; and tail surfaces secured to the rear end of the spar andv being bendable to control a direction of the ship during flight;

16. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the wing and comprising a longitudinally extending spar; a pair of spaced parallel posts havcne end secured to the sparv to depend therefrom; aligned bearings in thepost; a propeller the posts at a point adjacent the shaft.

17. In a toy airplane, a wing; abody securedrotatably mounted in the posts; means secured to the shaft to rotate therewith and adapted to be rotated at high speed to cause the propeller;

to draw the airplane forward through the air; supporting means secured to the posts and disposed below said drive shaft; and a catapult including a slot at one end'for receiving the posts and having a flat upper surface to engage the support of the plane during the period in which themeans secured to the'propeller shaft is being rotated at a high speed and to permit the pro peller to readily withdraw the plane therefrom.

18. Ina toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the wing and comprising a longitudinally exshaft rotatably mounted in the bearings; a propeller on the shaft; and a tie plate interconnecting tending spar; a pair of spaced parallel posts having one and secured to the spar to depend therefrom; aligned bearings in the post; a propeller shaft rotatably mounted in the bearings; a pro-' peller on the shaft; a tie plate interconnecting the posts at a point adjacent the shaft; means on the shaft and disposed under the wing for rotating the shaft to rotate the propeller during flight; and a catapult for launching the airplane comprising a handle and a supporting surface, the supporting surface having a slot therein to receive the posts and with the tie plate resting on the upper surface whereby the forward momentum of the airplane caused by the propeller will move the airplane out of the slot for flight.

19. In a toy airplane, a wing; a body secured to the Wing and comprising a longitudinally extending spar; a pair of spaced parallel posts having one end secured to the spar to depend therefrom; aligned bearings in the post; a propeller shaft rotatably mounted in the bearings; a propeller on the shaft; a tie plate interconnecting the posts at a point adjacent the shaft; means comprising a spool mounted on the shaft adapted to have a cord wound thereon to be withdrawn therefrom to rotate the propeller; and a catapult for launching the airplane comprising a handle and a supporting surface, the supporting surface having a slot therein to receive the posts and with the tie plate resting on the upper surface whereby the forward momentum of the plane caused by the propeller will move the plane out of the slot for flight and having a guide slot having a portion thereof extending in spaced parallel relation to the post-receiving slot therein for receiving and guiding the cord during the withdrawal movement from the spool whereby its removal is not interfered with.

- ADOLF CHAPON S. 

